A brief collection of many rare secrets many of which are approved and physical and the rest most pleasant and recreative : very necessary for all sorts of people / newly set forth and published by La Fountain, an expert operator.

A brief collection of many rare secrets many of which are approved and physical and the rest most pleasant and recreative : very necessary for all sorts of people / newly set forth and published by La Fountain, an expert operator.

Table of contents

Title page

To the Reader.

A Brief Collection of many Rare Secrets.

I. How to make ordinary diet drink, of which good purging diet drink may be easily made, as after you may see, very good and necessary for most diseases.

II. How to make the same drink, a most excellent purging diet drink.

III. How to make and take a vomit.

IV. An excellent purging Glister which may easily be made at any time.

V. An other easie Glister, both to refresh, cool, and purge if need require.

VI. An Astringent or Stopping Glister.

VIII. An easie remedy for them that are bound in their bodies, and will by no means take any Glister, as I have seen many.

VIII. An excellent remedy for either Quartan, Tertian, or Quotidian Ague.

IX. How to procure Rest and Sleep, to them that are hindered there from by head-ach, or any such like pain.

X. A good and easie remedy for Children troubled with Worms.

XI. How to cure any swelling in ones head, caused by a fall, a blow or the like, very suddenly.

XII. How to increase milk in a Womans breast, if need require.

XIII. An approved remedy to cure Warts.

XIV. How to cure any kind of Itch, though ever so bad, either inward or outward, with a sweet water: very cheape and very easie to be done, then the which there is nothing better, as I can justifie, both for this and divers other diseases.

XV. How to cure one that spits blood, having some broken vein in his brest.

XVI. For the Squinsie.

XVII An excellent Remedy to Cure the Evil.

XVIII. How to cure a Cough, or Cold, either old or new.

XIX. An assured Remedy for the Plague, approved of throughout Venice, in the year 1504.

XX. An infallible remedy for any Burning, or Scalding.

XXI. An excellent Perfume in a Chamber, to drive away all ill aire.

XXII. How to cure a strong Breath proceeding from the Stomack.

XXIII. A present remedy for them that are much troubled with the Hickock.

XXIV. How to be never troubled with the Colick.

XXV. How to make Red, or Gray haire, black.

XXVI.

XXVIII. An infallible way to make a Gray beard black, by once anointing it, which is not so convenient for the hair of the head, by reason of the care which ought to be had in using it.

XXIX. An infallible remedy for them that are come to age to have a beard yet want it, so nature do but co operate ever so little.

XXX. How to take Wrinkles out of ones Face, Forehead, or any other part.

XXXI. How to soften hard Hair, and to hinder the groweth of it.

XXXII. How to take out Freckles or other Spots out of ones Face, and likewise to make it fair.

XXXIII. An easie way to take all Colours, Painting, or any other Spots from ones hands, very necessary for so•• Artists and Tradesmen.

XXXIV. How to make ones haire to become of a yellow Golden Colour.

XXXV How to take off Haire, so that it shall never grow again.

XXXVI. How to make a most excellent Water, which I alwayes use to fasten Teeth that are loose, to clear the Gumms from putrifaction; to cause them to grow if need require; to sweeten the breath; and finally to divert away the Rheume from that place, it being very astringent, and cleansing.

XXXVII. How to keep Wine fresh, as if it were in a Celler, though it were in the heat of Summer, and without Ice or Snow, yea, though it were carried at a Saddle bow, and exposed to the Sun all the day.

XXXVIII. How to melt Mettle very quick, yea in a shell upon little fire.

XXXIX. How to make the string of a Viol sensibly shake, without any one touching it.

XL. Of a Vessel which contains three several kinds of liquor, all put in at one bung-hole, and drawne out at one tappe, severally without mixture.

XLI. How to find the new and full Moon in each moneth.

XLII. How to find at any time which way the wind is in ones Chamber, without going abroad.

XLIII. How to practice excellently the re-animation of Simples, in case the plants may not be transported to be replanted, by reason of distance of places.

XLIV. Of the admirable invention of making the Philosophers tree, which one may see with his eye to grow by little and little.

XLV. How to rost a Capon, carried in a budget at a Saddle bow, in the space of riding five or six miles.

XLVI. How to make two Marmousets, one of which shall light a Candle, and the other put it out.

§

An Excellent remedy for sore eyes.

A Remedy for noyse or buzzing in the eares.

For Hemeroids or Piles.

A cure for Corns.

The use and vertue of my Powder for Teeth.

§

§

§

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A Brief COLLECTION Of many Rare SECRETS.

Most of which are approved, and Physical, and the rest most Pleasant and Recreative.

Very necessary for all sorts of People.

Newly set forth and published by LA FOƲNTAIN an Expert Operator, living over against Essex House in the Strand near Temple-bar.

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LONDON, Printed Anno Dom. 1650.

To the Reader.

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I Do not attribute to my self to be sole inventor of these insuring Secrets; yet know that here are none concerning Curo but what I have experimented, or had from good Authors, great imitators of Galen, and Hippocrates, the famousest men of their calling in the World; as for what is recreative, herein they need no other testimony but your own judicious application. The general acceptance of a little Book of twenty Secreets, which I published formerly, hath obliged me to present you here with a farre better, concealing nor retaining nothing to my self from your view that I think may do you good: Here you may have more instructions in the things it treateth off, for a couple of pence, then you can have of another that is more coveteous then charitable (of which there are many now a dayes) for twenty shillings: I direct this chiefly to the poor that are not able to go to the price of higher matters, though others may profit by it: However to as many as will accept hereof, if possibly it lieth in my power, I will study to present them with a better thing hereafter. In the mean time, my greatest ambition shall be, alwayes to deserve the title of your Friend and well wisher,

EDW. FOUNTAIN.

A Brief Collection of many Rare Secrets.

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I. How to make ordinary diet drink, of which good purging diet drink may be easily made, as after you may see, very good and necessary for most diseases.

TAke a good handful of Barley, pick and wash it in fair water, and a dram of green fennel seed, or annise seed, and half an ounce of liquorish prepared, that is, scraped clean and somwhat bruised; put all this in a pottle of running water to boile, skimme it when it boils while it yields any skimme, and then it is boiled enough, then take it off, let it cool, and keep it for your ordinary drink; this is good drink for most diseases, especially being feverish or hot.

II. How to make the same drink, a most excellent purging diet drink.

Take a pint of the said drink, and steep therein half an ounce of sene, and a dram of green fennel, tyed at liberty in a little clean linnen cloth, or bagge for the purpose, over night; then strain it, and take a good glasseful of it in the morning fasting, and half an hour after a messe of clear fresh broth. That many thousands have been cured of sundry dangerous diseases hereby, I can Justifie it, continuing to do the same every morning for three or four dayes together, as your Doctor shall think best, and your necessity require.

III. How to make and take a vomit.

Take about twelve spoonfuls of warme water, mingle therein four or five spoonfuls of Sallet-oyle, and drink it; a little while after thrust your finger or a feather in your throat to make it operate the better, if it be necessary; note that the best time to take this vomit is, when your stomack is full presently after dinner or supper; for then your victuals will bring up all the flegme, and ill humors from the very bottom of your stomack.

IV. An excellent purging Glister which may easily be made at any time.

Take a handful of Barley, as much clear bran, and a quart of running water; boil this a little space, as two or three boils; then take a pint of the said water strained but not squesed, and boil therein half an ounce of Sene one boil or two, together with two drams of green Fennel-seed, or Annis-seed; then strain it through a clean linnen cloth, squesing it somewhat softly; then take a dish and put therein two or three ounces of good honey, and an ounce of the coursest red Sugar, and seven or eight spoonfuls of the said water hot, mingling or stirring all well together with the rest of the foresaid pint of water; which done, you shall strain it again, and put therein five or six spoonfuls of Sallet-oyle, or half a quartern of fresh butter, which you shall give warm but not too hot, and let the patient retain it as long as he can, so it exceed not half a quarter of an hower, or thereabout.

V. An other easie Glister, both to refresh, cool, and purge if need require.

Take a quart of Whey, and boil therein a good big handful of the best great lettis you can [Page] find, and as much purslain; then take a pint of the said liquor strained, and put therein a quartern of hony and it is done, giving it warm as above.

VI. An Astringent or Stopping Glister.

Take a pint of new milk, and then take a good big piece of any Steel red hot, and quench it in the said milk, then heat and quench it as before in the same milk, continue to heat and quench in the same manner, three or four times over, then strain it, and put therein two ounces of oyle of Quinces, with two yolks of Eggs, and so give it the Patient.

VIII. An easie remedy for them that are bound in their bodies, and will by no means take any Glister, as I have seen many.

Take a dram or two (a little more or lesse according to the strong or weak Constitution of the Patient) of good Sene, half a dram of green Fennel-seeds, or Annise-seeds, put them in a Porrenger, and powre thereon four or five spoonfuls of clear water, more or lesse according to the quantity of Sene that you use, and if the Patient be not troubled with a Cough, poure an equal quantity of juice of Lemons and water, instead of water alone; cover the said Porrenger, and put it upon the hot ashes with few or no sinders; there let all infuse or steep together an hour or there about; then strain and squese it a little through a clean cloth, put thereto twice or thrice as much clear broth, without salt; finally let the Patient take this in the morning fasting, two or three hours before he eat any thing; this is likewise a very good purge for many diseases, and may be taken by young, or old, or women with child, without any perril or danger using discretion.

VIII. An excellent remedy for either Quartan, Tertian, or Quotidian Ague.

It is good first to be let blood and purged, before you take this insuing Medicine, yet I have cured many hereby without either; take Roch-allum, cut or scrape them round as near as you can, in fashion of Pills, as big as you think you can swallow them; let them that are very young, very old, or very weak, take three of these Pills, in three spoonfuls of Angellica-water; the stronger Constitution may take five in the same manner; the time to take them is when you begin to feel the fit a coming on, and drink not if you can help it during the cold fi [...]; but during the hot fit which ordinarily cometh after, drink as much Carduus benedictus Posset drink as you please; it is best hot to provoke sweat if your drouth can possibly indure it; if not, better cold then not at all; this will much weaken your Ague at the first taking, and at the second or third taking totally cure you, God willing.

IX. How to procure Rest and Sleep, to them that are hindered there from by head-ach, or any such like pain.

Take Violet-oyle, with the yolk of an Egge, and b [...]east-milk, of each a like quantity; which being well mingled, apply like a plaister upon the forhead and temples; this will appease the pain, and bring on rest and sleep suddenly.

X. A good and easie remedy for Children troubled with Worms.

Take of the finest wheat flower you can yet, very well sifted, as much as a six pence will hold three times covered over: then mingle as much fountain-water with the said flower in a glasse as will make it looke like milk, which you shall give the Child to drink, and soon after you shall see the worms come out dead in the Childs excrement.

XI. How to cure any swelling in ones head, caused by a fall, a blow or the like, very suddenly.

Take an ounce of salt, three ounces of ordinary honey, three ounces of Cummin, two ounces of Turpentine, all which you shall mingle well together about a quarter of an hour, upon a soft fire, in any clean thing; then spread it like a plaister upon a clean piece of linnen cloth, and apply it hot upon the swelled place; a better cure can hardly be had, for this purpose.

XII. How to increase milk in a Womans breast, if need require.

Take a good handful of green Fennel, picked from the great stalks, and boil it very well in a pottle of white wine, or strong ale, either being very good for that purpose; then keep it up close, and let it be your ordinary drink at meals and other times; the longer you continue [Page] to drink of the said drink, the more your milk will increase; in this I never saw any to fail.

XIII. An approved remedy to cure Warts.

Take any piece of Gold, or Gold-ring without any stone; heat it red hot in the fire, and l [...]y [...]t as hot as ever you can indure it upon each w [...]rt, until they be well cauterized thereby; instead of Gold you may use Iron or a red coal in the same manner; then wash them with good strong Lye; do this three times a day, or several dayes if you will; it importeth not much whether; lastly take Radishes and cut them into thin slices in a platter, and strew over them a reasonable quantity of salt, then lay on another bed of sliced Raddishes upon that, and salt as before, and so three or four times, let all this lye and steep over night in the said platter, and in the morning you shall find the salt melted, and the vertue of the said Raddishes in it, with which water you shall often wash the warts, and lay a linnen rag or cotten dipd in the said water upon them, in which doing they will in few dayes fall, or at the least be easily drawne off: likewise any scratching, black or blew spots, got by fighting or she like, the said water will suddenly cure, using it as above said.

XIV. How to cure any kind of Itch, though ever so bad, either inward or outward, with a sweet water: very cheape and very easie to be done, then the which there is nothing better, as I can justifie, both for this and divers other diseases.

Take a quartern of Plantain-water, half as much Rose water, halfe a wine-glasse of Lemond or Orenge flower water, and an ounce of Sublimatum beaten into very fine powder, all which you shall mingle in a clean skillet upon the fire, and there let it boile for a quarter of an hour; then let it cool, and keep it close in a viol for your use; then wash the place or places where you have the itch with the said water, and let it dry of it self; your convenientest time will be when you are going to bed; do this three times, leaving four and twenty houers respite between each time; the first and second time will bring them all forth, and the third time will dry and take them quite off; thus leaving aside all stinking ointments, and inward physick whatsoever; you may have a safe, sweet, speedy, and infallible cure for your itch: Likewise using this water as above said, it will draw out all kind of foul corrupted humors, and leave the skin clear and white; what vertue the said water may have to cure the Pox, and other soul diseases being rightly used, I leave to the judicious Artists censure.

XV. How to cure one that spits blood, having some broken vein in his brest.

Take Mice-dung dried and beaten into powder, as much as a sixpence will hold at a time, in half a wine-glasseful of juyce of Plantain, with a little sugar; drink this every morning fasting, and as much every night when you go to bed, for a week or there abouts; and this with Gods help will cure you.

XVI. For the Squinsie.

Take two or three drops of oile of Vitriol, in a glasse of white wine; gargle often your mouth and throat therewith; this hath cured many, and this you see is very easie to be done.

XVII An excellent Remedy to Cure the Evil.

Take four ounces of Ceruse, otherwise called White-lead, in fine powder, and boile it five or six houers in half a pint of Sallet oyle, or until all be very black, stirring it continually wh [...]le it is on the fire; then spread of this upon a piece of leather or clean linnen cloth, and apply it upon the Sore, and if the Sore runs, using this often it will heal it; if not, it will first dissolve it and afterwards perfectly heal it, if it be not too inveterate:

XVIII. How to cure a Cough, or Cold, either old or new.

Take Brimstone well powdered half an ounce, and mingle it with a new laid Egge boiled soft, and half a scruple of Beniamen softly reduced to powder. Take this in the morning fasting, and as much going to bed at night, and you shall be cured thereby at the second or third taking: But if your Cough be very inveterate, you must take it oftener.

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XIX. An assured Remedy for the Plague, approved of throughout Venice, in the year 1504.

Take of a healthy Male young childs water, fine Treacle and Annise seed-water, of each a like quantity, mingle them, and give about a quarter of a pint or a little more at a time of it to the Patient in the morning fasting, for three mornings together; this hath cured many.

XX. An infallible remedy for any Burning, or Scalding.

Cut an ounce of the newest wax you can get in thin slices, and melt it in two ounces of Sallet oyle; then take it off the fire and mingle well therein two yolks of Eggs, rosted hard under hot ashes; spread a little of this very thin being cold upon a clean linnen cloth, and apply it upon the Sore, changing the same twice a day; this will in very short time appease the pain, and heal without leaving any scarre at all: this is the onely thing I have alwayes used for this purpose, not without good successe.

XXI. An excellent Perfume in a Chamber, to drive away all ill aire.

Take ten or twelve Cloaves somwhat bruised, and three or four little slices of Orenge or Lemond pill, put these in a clean porrenger with six or seven spoonfuls of Rosewater, upon a few cinders or coals in a chasingdish about the middle of the room, and it will perfume the place, and expel away the ill aire.

XXII. How to cure a strong Breath proceeding from the Stomack.

Take Sage-leaves dryed and powdered an ounce, Rosemary flowers in the same manner three ounces, Cloaves beaten into powder half an ounce, Cinamon beaten two dramms, two Nutmegs grated very small, and two graines of Muske; incorporate all this with as much clarified honey as will make it into a soft paste; then put it in a box five or six dayes together, where the Sun may shine most upon it, and it suffiseth. Take of this every morning half an ounce fasting, and as much after supper going to bed; this will keep what you have eaten from putrifying over night in your stomack, and continuing thus a while, you shall by Gods help be delivered from all strong or stinking breath whatsoever.

XXIII. A present remedy for them that are much troubled with the Hickock.

Eat every morning that you fear to be troubled with the Hickock three hours before dinner time, a good piece of green Ginger, and drink thereon two good draughts of Malmsie, and you shall be soon cured thereof God willing.

XXIV. How to be never troubled with the Colick.

Take two pounds of the outward thickest skin of Raddishes, and four pound of good honey; boile all this together untill half the honey be consumed, then mingle therein Cinamond, Cloaves, Mace, Nutmegge and Pepper, of each two drams beaten to powder, which done, set it up in a vessel for your use; finally take of the said Raddish skins thus prepared half an ounce every morning; they that use this remedy are never troubled with the Colick.

XXV. How to make Red, or Gray haire, black.

Take five flaggons of Rain water, as much Oake-ashes, or other good strong ashes as will make Lye thereof, six ounces of litharge of Gold, Sage, and black-figtree-leaves, of each a handful; if you cannot get this last, take the more Sage, boil this together until the fourth part of the liquor be consumed in boiling, with which you shall wash your head twice a weeke; and when your haire is dry, take Sage juyce four ounces, Tartar of Redwine in powder one ounce, and of litharge of Gold reduced to powder likewise halfe an ounce, mingle these three last things together, and there with anoint a Lead-combe, with which you shall combe your haire often, and they will become black in a short time.

XXVI.

Likewise if you take oile of Tartar, and warm it a little, and anoint your Combe in combing your haire well before the Sun, two or three times a day for a whole week, after you have washed and dryed your haire as before, it is an approved remedy to make haire of any colour black.

If you think all these things too tedious or troublesom, take twenty or thirty Horseleaches, [Page] or as many as you can get, and put them to steep and rot in a violl with half a pint or a little more of course Red wine for two moneths together, which done, anoint and combe your haire often therewith before the Sun, and they will soon become browne at the least if not quite black.

XXVIII. An infallible way to make a Gray beard black, by once anointing it, which is not so convenient for the hair of the head, by reason of the care which ought to be had in using it.

Take half an ounce of Aqua fortis in a Viall, put therein to dissolve by the fire side the quantity of three pence or a groat in silver, and when you would use this, anoint the roots of the hair a little with oile of Roses; then wet the haire well with a little spunge dipt in the said Aqua fortis, (having a care not to touch the skin but as little as may be for that it is apt to raise a blister) then let it dry, and finally wash it over with a little Lye, wherein hath been boiled a little Red-roses, and Pomgranet-flowers; this Secret as well as many others in this little Book, is a rare experiment, easie, useful, and profitable for my greatest envyers: but I stick not to let them know, that my ambition is to restore good for evil, rather then seek revenge.

XXIX. An infallible remedy for them that are come to age to have a beard yet want it, so nature do but co operate ever so little.

Shave the place often where you would have haire to grow, then presently anoint the place shaved with a little spirit of Honey, or oile of Tartar, either being very good and best for that use of any thing that ever nature hath produced, I am confident of it: the best time to use this is during the increase of the Moon, in the spring season going to bedward, to make the hair of your head grow in a short time fair, long, thick, and curled; use the same wearing a Periwigge, or a leather Cap with borders to it which is far better, by reason that a Periwigge for the most part is too hot for that use, and doth often hinder somwhat therefore the growth of the haire more, then a Cap and Borders doth.

XXX. How to take Wrinkles out of ones Face, Forehead, or any other part.

Take a little of the wood of a white Vine, that is such as bears white Grapes, or a little Briony, and beat it well in a Morter with a good big Fig or two, such as you may buy at the Grocers; which done, anoint the wrinkled place therewith, and walk thereupon until you sweat: otherwise the Vine wood will take of the skin, or the Briony make it black.

XXXI. How to soften hard Hair, and to hinder the groweth of it.

Take Bean-cods, bruise them, and apply them like a poultice over night upon the place, where you would hinder the grouth of hair, or at least to soften it; the next morning wash the place with water wherein beans have boiled; the best time to use this is during the decrease of the Moon, and the oftener you do it the sooner you shall obtain your desire herein: if some find that no hair will ever grow upon the foresaid place, yet I cannot affirme that it will do the same to all; for I am of opinion, that it is not easie to change the ordinary course of Nature in this particular.

XXXII. How to take out Freckles or other Spots out of ones Face, and likewise to make it fair.

Take a little Roch-allum and bruise it somwhat small, together with the white of a new layed Egge, warm from the henne, and put them in a dish upon the fire untill they begin to boile, mingling them together until they be incorporated, and somwhat hardned, with which you may anoint your fate several times, for two or three dayes together: this hath been often experimented, and found to be excellent for this use.

XXXIII. An easie way to take all Colours, Painting, or any other Spots from ones hands, very necessary for so [...] Artists and Tradesmen.

Take juyce of Lemond, with a little fair mingled therein wash your hands therewith, and let them dry of themselves; which done, wash, them in fair water: moreover this is good to take away the Itch, using it in the same manner.

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XXXIV. How to make ones haire to become of a yellow Golden Colour.

Take the rinde, or outward parings of Rhubarbe, and put them to steep in Whitewine, or clear Lye; wet a spunge or linnen cloth therein, and anoint your haire therewith, and let them dry before the fire or sunne; the oftner you do this the sooner they will become yellow: note that before you use this, it is good to clear your head and hair from sweat, and all other filth whatsoever.

XXXV How to take off Haire, so that it shall never grow again.

Some that have the hair of their forehead growing too low, others the hair of their eyebrows growing too thick; and some women that have haire growing on their lips, (an unseemly sight to see) would give any thing for this Secret; Take a Ring without a stone, of the best Gold you can get, or any other piece of fine Gold, make it red hot without melting it, and touch onely the place suddenly therewith where you would never have hair to grow again; if it should, as very seldom it doth, return to do the same again, and infallibly no hair will ever grow in that place; note that presently you must anoint the place with oyle of Roses, or of Violets: The conveniency of this good Gold, is, that it leaves no scarre at all, as other Metals applyed hot, would do. The Author hereof found this Secret, much practised amongst the Moores, and since used it much himself throughout Europe, to many Ladies and Gentlewomen to their great content, and to his own Fame and Credit.

XXXVI. How to make a most excellent Water, which I alwayes use to fasten Teeth that are loose, to clear the Gumms from putrifaction; to cause them to grow if need require; to sweeten the breath; and finally to divert away the Rheume from that place, it being very astringent, and cleansing.

Take two ounces of good White wine vineger, four ounces of Rosemary flower-water, Myrrh, Mastick, bole Armenick, fine Dragons-blood in leafe, of each an ounce; Roch-allum burnt, and fine beaten Cinamon, of each half an ounce; a pint of fair water, and half a pound of good honey, with a little Beniamin; mingle all these together, and put it to boile for a quarter of an hour, skimming it well, then take it off, let it cool, and set it up in a viol for your use; gargle your mouth well with a little thereof, every morning, and before and after meals: I cannot extol this Secret too much, having experimented it with good successe to many people of quality, within this City of London, as I can justifie.

XXXVII. How to keep Wine fresh, as if it were in a Celler, though it were in the heat of Summer, and without Ice or Snow, yea, though it were carried at a Saddle bow, and exposed to the Sun all the day.

Set your Wine in a Viol of glasse, and place it in a box made of wood, leather or such like; about which Viol place Saltpeter, and it will preserve and keep it very fresh: this experiment is not a little commodious, for these which are not near fresh waters, and whose dwellings are much exposed to the Sunne.

XXXVIII. How to melt Mettle very quick, yea in a shell upon little fire.

Make a bed upon a bed of Mettle, with powder of Sulpher, of Saltpeter, and saw dust a like; then put fire to the said powder with a burning charcoal, and you shall see that the Mettle will dissolve incontinent, and be in a masse: this Secret is most excellent and often practised.

XXXIX. How to make the string of a Viol sensibly shake, without any one touching it.

This is a miracle in Musick, yet easie to be experimented: take a Viol or other instrument, and choose two strings, so that there be one between them; make these two strings agree in one and the same Tune; then move the Viol bow upon the greater string, and you shall see a wonder; for in the same time that that shakes, which you play upon, the other will likewise sensibly shake, without any one touching it; and it is the more admired, that the string which is between them will not shake at all; and if you put the first string to another Tune or Note, and loosing the pin of the string, or stopping it with your finger in any [Page] feet, the other string will not shake: and the same will happen if you take two Viols, and strike upon a string of the one, the string of the other will sensibly shake.

XL. Of a Vessel which contains three several kinds of liquor, all put in at one bung-hole, and drawne out at one tappe, severally without mixture.

The Vessel is thus made, i: must be divided into three Sells for to contain the three liquors; which admit to be Sack, Claret, and Whitewine: now in the bung-hole there is an engine with three pipes, each extending to its proper Cell; into which there is put a broach or funnel, pierced in three places, in such sort that placing one of the holes right against the pipe which answereth unto him, the other two pipes are stopped; then when it is full, turn the funnel, and then the former hole will be stopped and another open, to cast in other wine without mixing it with the other.

How to draw out also without mixture: At the bottome of the Vessel there must be placed a Pipe or Broach, which may have three Pipes, and a Cock pierced with three holes, so artificially done, that turning the Cock, the hole which answereth to such of the Pipes that is placed at the bottom, may issue forth such Wine as belongeth to that Pipe; and turning the Cock to another Pipe, the former hole will be stopped: and so there will issue forth another kind of Wine, without any mixture: but the Cock may be so ordered, that there may come out by it two Wines together, or all three kinds at once: But it seems best, when that in one Vessel and at one Cock, a man may draw several kinds of Wine, and which he pleaseth to drink.

XLI. How to find the new and full Moon in each moneth.

Adde to the Epact for the year, the moneth from March; then substract that surplus from 30. and the rest is the day of the moneth, that it will be new Moon; and adding unto it 14. you shall have the full Moon.

XLII. How to find at any time which way the wind is in ones Chamber, without going abroad.

Upon the planching or floor of a Chambe [...], Parlor, or Hall, that you intend to have this device, let there come down from the top of the house, a hollow post, in which place an Iron-rod, that it ascend above the house ten or six foot, with a Vane or a Scouchen at it, to shew the winds without: and at the lower end of this rod of Iron place a dart which may by the moving of the Vane with the wind without, turn this dart which is within: about which upon the plaister must be described a circle divided into the 32 points of the Mariners compasse, pointed and distinguished to that end; then may it be marked by placing a Compasse by it; for having noted the North point, the East, and so forth, it is easie to note out all the rest of the points: and so at any time coming into this roome, you have nothing to do but to look up to the dart, which will point you out what way the winde bloweth at that instant.

XLIII. How to practice excellently the re-animation of Simples, in case the plants may not be transported to be replanted, by reason of distance of places.

Take what simple you please, burn it, and take the ashes of it, and let it be calcinated two hours between two creusets, well luted, and extract the salt, that is, to put water into it, in moving of it; then let it settle, and do it two or three times; afterwards evaporate it, that is, let the water be boiled in some vessel, until it be all consumed; then there will remain a salt at the bottom, which you shall afterwards sow in good ground well prepared; such as the Theater of husbandry sheweth, and you shall have your desire.

XLIV. Of the admirable invention of making the Philosophers tree, which one may see with his eye to grow by little and little.

Take two ounces of Aqua fortis, and dissolve in it half an once of fine Silver refined in a Capel; then take an ounce of Aqua fortis, and two drams of quick-silver, which put in it, and mixe these two dissolved things together; then cast it into a Viol of half a pound of water, which may be well stopped; for then every day you may see it grow both in the [Page] Tree, and in the Branch: This liquour serves to black hair which is red, or white, without fading until they fall: But here is to be noted that great care ought to be had in anointing the hair, for fear of touching the flesh; for this composition, is very corrosive or scarching, that as soon as it toucheth the flesh, it raiseth blisters and bladders very painful.

XLV. How to rost a Capon, carried in a budget at a Saddle bow, in the space of riding five or six miles.

Having made it ready and larded it, stuff it with butter; then heat a piece of steel which may be formed round according to the length of the Capon, and big enough to fill the belly of it; and then stop it with butter, then wrap it up well, and inclose it in a box in the budget, and you shall have your desire. It is said that Count. Mansfield served himself with no others, but such as were made ready in this kinde; for that it looseth none of its substance, and it is dressed very equally.

XLVI. How to make two Marmousets, one of which shall light a Candle, and the other put it out.

Upon the side of a Wall, make the figure of a Marmouset, or other animal or form, and right against it on the other Wall make another; in the mouth of each put a quill or pipe so artificially, that it be not perceived; in one of which place Saltpeter very fine, and dry, and pulverised, and at the end set a little match of paper; in the other place sulpher beaten small; then holding a candle lighted in your hand, say to one of these images, by way of command, blow out the candle; then lighting the paper with the candle, the Saltpeter will blow out the candle immediately; and going to the other image (before the match of the candle be out) touch the sulphur with it and say, light the candle, and it will immediately be lighted, which will cause an admiration to these which see the action, if it be done with a secret dexterity.

§

I have some things extraordinary, which I cannot communicate to any but them that have need of my help, and will make use of me. What I have writ here, is very good and necessary; yet know, my manual operation excels them beyond proportion, in which I presume to be as expert in, as any man in Europe whatsoever he be; as the approbation of some of the best Doctors of this age shall justifie, if need repaires.

I glory not in knowing or doing much, but in doing well that little which I undertake, and the things which I undertake are these:

First, I draw out hollow Teeth or roots, though ever so short, with wonderful dexterity, facility, and ease:

I make even, smooth, and plain, Teeth that are extravagant, or sharper, longer or ruggeder then the rest.

Hollow Teeth that for some reason you would not have drawn, as the falling in of the cheek, or an invincible apprehension or fear, or the like, I can stop them so that they shall neither ake, putrifie, nor smell ill.

I have the best secret in the world, absolutely and infallibly, to make Teeth most perfectly white and clean, though they be ever so black or rusty.

Fore-teeth that are loose, I can fasten very well in lesse then half an hour.

I can set in Artificiall Teeth so well, that none can possibly know them from natural ones.

Finally, I cannot choose but convince their ignorance, that are against drawing hollow Teeth or roots; their common foolish objection is, that I do it more for my own profit, then the Patients ease. I say they may as well object the same against all other Arts, Sciences, or Trades in the world; for it is evident and clear, that the drawing of Teeth from others, is as necessary for them, as the profit is for me; by reason that all the Art in the world, cannot make a perished Tooth sound again, nor hinder it from infecting the next adjoyning teeth in time. Besides, hollow teeth breed often a stinking breath, a canker in the mouth, and other diseases in the body, and their intolerable aking is able to make a body fall into a dangerous [Page] Feavours; all which inconveniences may be shunned by having such teeth and roots neatly drawn. Lastly, if it be true, that it is good to take the broken from the whole, or that one scabbed sheep may spoyl a whole flock, or that it is good and necessary to repaire imperperfections of nature with art, then all that I have said herein is true, and so I rest fully satisfied

An Excellent remedy for sore eyes.

TAke three ounces of the best Hony, an ounce of Venice Turpentine, and the yolkes of twelve eggs that hath been rosted hard under hot ashes, then mingle them in a dish pouring thereon the said Turpentine and Hony, and put them to seeth a little upon a soft fire, then presse it in a presse in the same manner that oyle of Almonds is made; this is called oyle of Egges, aod though there be sundry other waies to make it, yet this is one of the best and easiest, however it hath a most admirable operation for curing of sore eyes, annointing them a little therewith sometimes, especially at night going to bed.

The use and vertue likewise of Roman Vitriol, so called by some, by others the Celestiall or blew stone, is publiquely known to be good for this and many things else besides, yet let a thing be ever so good when it is once made common it is not halfe so much esteemed as that which is not a quarter so good, especially if it be dearer and harder to come by, such is the unsatiable profitlesse curiosity of most people.

A Remedy for noyse or buzzing in the eares.

TAke halfe a pint of good old white Wine in a Porrenger, and two ounces of Roch Allum, put it to boyle upon a Chafingdish, then hold your eare over it and receive the smoke and vapour thereof into your eare as well as you can; finally put two or three drops thereof into your eare and keep it stopt with black wooll or Cotton til you be cured; likewise drop sometimes two or three drops of the joice of a Leek in your eare, keeping them stopped as before, this is easie, and commonly cureth the said noise in the head, and often restores perfect hearing to many that accidentally have lost part thereof.

For Hemeroids or Piles.

TAke a fresh Eele rost it and with the dripping thereof annoynt the afflicted part osten, it helheth beyond expectation.

A cure for Corns.

STeep your feet (the space of a quarter of an houre, going to bedward) in warm water wherein hath boyld three or foure sorts of sweet smelling Herbs, as Rosemary, Time, Hi [...]op, Spearmint, or the like, then pare a little of the outward hardest part of your Corns, having a care you cut not to the quick, then apply the bredth of your Corn of this plaister upon each Corn, and as much fine Leather upon that as wil keepe it from sticking to your stockings, continuing and renewing this plaister as need requires for a whole weeke, it wil soften the very roots of your Corns, so that you may easily pick them out with the point of a pen knife.

The use and vertue of my Powder for Teeth.

TAke as much as you can hold between your two fingers at once of this Powder, and rub your Teeth wel therewi [...]h, then take three spoonfuls of water, and halfe a spoonfull of Wine-vinegar mingled together, and wash your mouth and teeth therewith: the best time to use this is in the morning, as often as you please, or as necessity requires: this is as good to take away all rust, to divert away the Rheume from the Teeth, and consequently to keep them perfectly white, as any Powdet can be for this purpose.

§

To conclude as there is no man free from the aspersions and slanders of envious tongues, so I shall thinke my selfe sufficiently vindicated that the discreeter sort will suspend their judgement at the first view, untill they heare what others will say that have been under my hands, for I desire no other praise save what they can justly give me: and though some out of ignorance, malice, or both, cannot or will not make any distinction between an Operator and a cheating Mountebanke, yet they nor no man can deny but that in all vocations there are some honest men as well as knaves, both which I heartily wish may prosper and fare as they deserve, and no otherwise.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

A brief collection of many rare secrets many of which are approved and physical and the rest most pleasant and recreative : very necessary for all sorts of people / newly set forth and published by La Fountain, an expert operator.

La Fountaine.

Edition statement

1650

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A40044

ID [STC]

Wing F1648

ID [STC]

ESTC R29853

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

11213645

ID [OCLC]

ocm 11213645

ID [VID]

46830

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This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A40044)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 46830)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1441:84)

Source

— A brief collection of many rare secrets many of which are approved and physical and the rest most pleasant and recreative : very necessary for all sorts of people / newly set forth and published by La Fountain, an expert operator., La Fountaine., Fountaine, Edward..

Extent

[10] p.

[s.n.],. London printed :: 1650.. (Attributed by Wing to Edward Fountaine.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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